1 July 2014; Mat 8

1 July 2014; Mat 8

Mat 8 began with 3 stories of Jesus miracles deeds - healing a leper, healing a centurion's servant and Peter's mother-in-law.

The way Jesus healed the leper - He touched him. It was considered unclean to touch a leper. Even the cloths that was touched has to be thrown into the fire and be burnt. Jesus demonstrate a different Lord. He erased the norm of a religious leader.

Jesus healed a gentile. This demonstrated that God comes for all.

Jesus healed a woman - again He touched her. This breaks the then social norm and show God comes to both man and woman.

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2 ESV)

There is a different in Jesus ability to heal - His power to heal and the will to heal. the leper recognise that. How about us? We come to God for a healing and blame God for not being heal? In all the things that happen - Jesus heal for the glory of God. The sickness that is not heal is also for the intent for the glory of God. The leper knew Jesus power as well as His sovereign will to heal or not to heal.

The centurion represent the then ruler over the Jews. The centurion need not to speak to Jesus in that manner. He commands his soldier to go and he will go, but instead he ask Jesus to just say the command to him - so that his servant can be healed. The centurion know Jesus authority - above him.

Peter's mother-in-law did not say a word but express gratitude through the preparation of the meal for Jesus.

Matthew summed by the 3 deeds of miracles by

That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:16-17 ESV)

Jesus is the promise that God is giving to Israel. He touched the socially not acceptable to show that He accepts them as well as the sickness. With authority Jesus has over the all sickness and spirit and the people knew.

Who is then Jesus to me? He wants to touch my heart - to do a healing of the past. What faith do I have in this Christ that He can do a heart surgery in me. The leper who is an outcast can now be accepted by others. The paralysis servant can now walk. Peter's mother-in-law can now get out of bed and prepared a meal.

Where is the joy? I need a change - a reflection in all situation that the glory of God can be seen.